THE Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation Hub is proud to announce its sponsorship of the 2025 Women on Farms Gathering (WoFG) in Benalla.
The Gathering, themed “Stronger together, Shaping our future”, will focus on healthy land, healthy women and healthy futures.
WoFG Chair Louise Armstrong expressed gratitude for the Vic Hub’s support.
“The Victoria Drought Resilience Hub sponsorship has been critical to getting this gathering off the ground," Ms Armstrong said.
"It has allowed us to keep the registration cost for the event affordable at a time when it’s even harder for women to be seen to spend money ‘on themselves’.”
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Ms Armstrong highlighted the event’s importance.
“We know the critical role that women play in strengthening rural communities and industries, and assisting them in navigating changing times," she said.
"The 2025 gathering presents an opportunity to celebrate past achievements and experiences of resilience, and contribute to a positive future.”
The program will showcase the progress and personal growth of rural and regional women from Benalla and surrounds, embracing diversity of experience across age, climate conditions and business enterprises.
“Our stories are a critical part of any gathering," Ms Armstrong said.
"They provide an opportunity to celebrate and be inspired by others, to learn, take comfort, be encouraged and take strength from other women.”
Dr Sara Hely, Director of the Victoria Drought Resilience Hub and a keynote speaker at the event, emphasised the crucial role of women in regional communities.
“Women in regional communities are often the unsung heroes when times are uncertain in our farming communities," Dr Hely said.
"But without them, community resilience and our ability to bounce back would be significantly impacted.”
Drawing from personal experience, Dr Hely said, “As a woman who grew up in a farming community and saw the devastating impacts of drought and climate volatility, my own mother and the mothers of others were the ones I turned to.”
Dr Hely will share stories of community leaders in drought resilience and discuss individual contributions to this effort.
“At the Vic Hub, we recognise that resilience comes from within us and our ability to support others, make good decisions and be prepared.
"A lot of this comes from having vision, being audacious, looking after our own and others’ health, having the composure to reason well and to collaborate with others.”
The Vic Hub, headquartered at The University of Melbourne’s Dookie Campus, is supported by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
Dr Hely said the hub’s involvement in the WoFG event aligned with its mission to enhance drought preparedness and resilience in Victoria’s agricultural industries, environment and regional communities.
“By facilitating connections between research and community needs, the Victoria Drought Resilience Hub aims to facilitate the adoption of innovations that improve economic, environmental and social resilience to drought.:"
Presenters include AgriFutures Chair Cathy McGowan AO and Benalla farmer and landscape architect Sue Campbell OAM.
